A WARNING - Never ever stay in JJs backpackers in Cairns. We lasted all of a few hours in there... it was horrible. Hideous. Disgusting. It was so dirty and the people were all... well... low-lifes is the only way we can put it... and all the rooms had the same key (interesting set up... the point of locks was????) so we decided to book into somewhere else, without actually spending a night there! We are now in a very basic, very small room in a hostel/motel right by the beach and lagoon. It's OK and we didn't expect to stay in nice places all the time but at least we feel safe now, and the people... well... the SMILE... Came as quite a shock after the miserable eegits in the first place! There was a hospital next door to the JJs place and it was tempting to plead insanity as it would have been better to spend a night on a psychiatric ward than in that place! Anyway... We're shattered due to an overngiht flight with a changeover, and in need of food. Cairns is really pretty - there's a lagoon across from our hostel which is a huge fresh water pool where we spent the afternoon sunbathing and swimming (although the water was freezing!) We plan to visit the Great Barrier Reef on a snorkelling trip later this week. DAVE - I know you might not read this because of lack on internet but I'm sure you will eventually - have a FANTASTIC birthday tomorrow and I'm sorry I can;'t be there to celebrate with you in the Wall of Corn! Miss you lots, but we will celebrate when I'm back! Love you! Wee sis xxx Lots of love to everyone Karen and Fleur xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx